Pull-tab for use as handle on notebooks, binders, boxes, or drawers

ABSTRACT

A pull-tab ( 15 ) design for providing a convenient handle for use on a looseleaf notebook ( 16 ) or other object such as, but not limited to, a binder, box, drawer, or storage bin. The user removes a protective strip which covers a permanent-type adhesive on the pull-tab. This permits the pull-tab to be attached to the desired object, and facilitates easy removal of the object from a storage location. The handle of the pull-tab may be imprinted or annotated for identification and/or color-coded for rapid identification. The pull-tab may be produced in a continuous length and cut to the desired length by the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/611,103 filed Sep. 17, 2004.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to the capability for adding an easily-gripped pull-tab to a notebook, binder, box, storage bin, or drawer to permit retrieval from a shelf or storage location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

2. Prior Art

Notebooks and binders are typically stored on shelves, with minimal distance usually between the top of the notebook or binder, thus making retrieval sometimes difficult, awkward, or clumsy. Several means were designed to alleviate this problem, usually by adding a finger hole to the back of the notebook or binder, or sometimes, a tab was affixed to the notebook or binder during manufacturing, which increased cost. U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,264 to Chiarella (1994) discloses a pull-tab with a hinged handle which is pulled down for use; however, these pull-tabs are difficult to manufacture, are limited to specific widths, and lack the capability to write thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,780 to Satamian (2001) discloses a similar approach, in that a handle swings down to be used as a pull-tab. It, too, has the same disadvantages as Chiarella, in that the pull-tab (or label with handle, as titled) is difficult to manufacture, is limited to specific widths, and has limited space for any annotation. Similiarly, neither Chiarella or Satamian are intended for boxes or storage bins of various sizes.

Another adhesive handle has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,076 to Marco (1999), which is intended for container handling, such as a bottle. While this invention uses an adhesive handle concept, it does not fully find application, nor does it appear intended to, as a pull-tab for notebooks, binders, boxes, or drawers. This handle is intended for vertical positioning and more suitable for lifting or carrying a bottle or container.

No mention is made in Chiarella, Satamian, or Marco of color coding the pull tabs or handles to achieve a distinctive effect.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the pull-tab described in my above patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

(a) to provide a pull-tab which can be easily affixed to a notebook, binder, box, or drawer;

(b) to provide a pull-tab which allows for the easy retrieval of a notebook, binder, box, or drawer from a shelf or storage bin;

(c) to provide a pull-tab which can be easily manufactured in a long strip;

(d) to provide a pull-tab which can be cut to any length by the user;

(e) to provide a pull-tab which may be easily affixed to a notebook, binder, box, or drawer after manufacture of said notebook, binder, box, or drawer;

(f) to provide a pull-tab which may be annotated with permanent or non-permanent marking to indicate contents;

(g) to provide a pull-tab which is designed to lay flat when not in use;

(h) to provide a pull-tab which may be color coded for rapid identification;

(i) to provide a pull-tab with the tab made from a dissimilar material than the hinged portion, to enhance eye appeal.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

The pull-tab is attached by means of a self-adhesive.

This invention is for those notebooks, binders, boxes, or drawers that do not already have a built-in means for easy retrieval such as a ring, hole, tab, or drawer pull. It is intended to provide a simple solution for gripping and retrieval. The pull-tab is convenient to use, when installed, and may have other uses of a similar nature where a gripping means is desired. The pull-tab may also be imprinted or annotated with writing to indicate contents and/or color-coded for rapid identification.

In conclusion, insofar as I am aware, there are no easily applied pull-tabs on the market specifically designed for that purpose.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention a pull-tab comprises a flat body having an adhesive on one side and hinged to another flat body which functions as a handle or gripping surface.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the pull-tab in the open position.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the pull-tab in the folded position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pull-tab typically attached to a looseleaf binder.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

11 pull-tab, open

12 handle

13 hinge

14 adhesive tab

15 pull-tab, folded

16 looseleaf notebook, typical

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1, 2, AND 3

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of the pull-tab constructed in accordance with the invention. The pull-tab 11 is shown in the open position and the pull-tab 15 is shown in the folded position. The pull-tabs 11 and 15 are composed of a handle 12, a hinge 13, and the adhesive tab 14. The hinge 13 is joined with the handle 12 and the adhesive tab 14, and may be a separate piece or may be integrally formed as a one-piece assembly along with the handle 12 and the adhesive tab 14. The adhesive tab 14 is coated with a permanent-type adhesive for affixing to a notebook, binder, box, or drawer, etc., and is protected prior to use by a plastic peel-strip.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a typical looseleaf type of notebook 16 having a pull-tab 15 attached to the notebook binding. Although this figure illustrates a notebook only, it also applies to other objects such as a binder, drawer, box, or storage bin.

Operation—FIGS. 1 and 2

In operation, the user selects the size of pull-tab 11 desired and removes the plastic peel-strip from the adhesive tab 14 to expose the adhesive. The adhesive tab 14 is folded over at the hinge 13 to achieve the pull-tab 15 configuration. The pull-tab 15 is then affixed to an object, such as a looseleaf notebook 16, in a desired location so that the handle 12 is pointing outward and readily accessible.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of my pull-tab becomes evident:

(a) The pull-tab, when applied, becomes a convenient handle for use by the user.

(b) The pull-tab can be easily applied to an object desired by the user.

(c) The pull-tab, when manufactured in a strip, can be cut to the length desired by the user.

(d) The pull-tab may be manufactured from a variety of materials such as cardboard, vinyl, plastic, wood, metal, or a combination thereof.

(e) The pull-tab may be manufactured in a variety of colors for easy identification.

(f) The pull-tab may be annotated or imprinted for easy identification.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

Accordingly, the reader can see the advantages of this invention. Anyone who has tried to remove a notebook, binder, box, or drawer from a confined space amongst other similar objects can very well appreciate having a pull-tab handle with which to grasp. Furthermore, the pull-tab has the additional advantages in that

-   -   it may be easily attached to any notebook, binder, box, or         drawer at any time and not just during the manufacturing         process;     -   it is easy to use and readily available to the user;     -   it may be annotated or imprinted upon to identify contents;     -   it may be conveniently cut off to any length desired;     -   it folds flat so as to not interfere with normal operations;     -   it may be produced in colors for easy identification; and     -   it may have a handle of similar material to match the object to         which it is attached.

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the pull-tab can have other shapes such as circular, triangular, oval, and so forth, and may be constructed of a variety of materials suitable for the intended use or to accommodate a particular manufacturing process. The hinged portion can be constructed of a different material than the adhesive tab.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claim and its legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. A pull-tab comprising: (a) an assembly having a handle, a hinge, and an adhesive tab which may be all one piece or a composite, and (b) each said handle approximately one and one-half inch long with width determined by the application, and (c) each said hinge portion attached to the said handle and in the same width as the said handle, and (d) each said hinge portion capable of being annotated or color-coded for rapid identification, and (e) each said adhesive tab portion approximately one-half inch and attached to the said hinge and in the same width as the said handle, and (f) each said adhesive tab being coated on one surface with a permanent-type of adhesive for purpose of affixing to the desired object, said object being, for example, a notebook, binder, drawer, box, or storage bin, and (g) each said pull-tab being constructed of materials such as, but not limited to, vinyl, plastic, metal, cardboard, fabric, or wood, and (h) each said pull-tab being capable of being folded over at said hinge for purpose of affixing said adhesive tab to said object whereby providing the user a protruding handle for easy access and grip. 